Flight delay with connection.

[polb]

Got a flight booked at 4pm today MAN-LHR connecting to JNB. Just received an email saying that due to adverse weather conditions in London there may be a delay to the MAN flight.
What are my options? Can I call and ask them to cancel the MAN-LHR flight only and make my own way there, or does that risk the connecting flight being cancelled?
Thanks.

[Richie]

There seems to be a problem with an aircraft delayed at Malpensa.

[NorthernLass]

How much time is there before the JNB flight departs? Same day connections at MAN are always risky, as you have now discovered!

You may be fine, but the later MAN-LHR flights can easily get disrupted by knock-on effects from things happening at LHR.

Don’t try to cancel or otherwise not turn up for the MAN leg. You could call BA and see if they can move you to an earlier flight, or have a look what your re-booking options just from LHR would be (you don’t say what kind of booking it is). My personal preference in similar circumstances is to present myself at check-in and ask what they can do in terms of re-ticketing. The earlier flights may well be full, though, and they do go on a long break between the last morning check-in and the 4pm departure.

They can re-ticket you just from LHR if you want to make your own way, but you may be cutting it a bit fine now. If you do miss your JNB flight, they will put you on the next available BA one (or on another carrier if you can negotiate that successfully).

Good luck!

[NorthernLass]

Also – if you end up having to stay in a hotel at LHR, BA will reimburse that, plus any meals you have to buy while waiting for your replacement flight.

[polb]

It’s the 9:25pm jnb flight, booked with avois. I usually get the train down, but decided to fly from Manchester this time. Won’t be doing that again.

[polb]

And thanks for the info northern lass. I’ll see what they say at check in.

[NorthernLass]

Let us know how you get on!

Just a word of advice – if you end up flying down to LHR tonight but are going to miss your connection, get off the plane asap and make your way to the customer service/flight connections desk in T5 because you can bet there will be a long queue of similarly-affected passengers forming! (This is as regular sight for us as we head to our LHR hotel for a good night’s sleep before continuing our journey the following day!)

[ianwardz]

We have had this type of email the last two internal connecting flights we have made from Newcastle. It seems to be happening more often, as others on here have reported the same thing.
I would have thought, as you have over 4 hours connection, that you should be ok, but as others have said assuming that the flights are on a single booking, then it is up to BA to get you to your final destination and cover any extra costs.

[JDB]

The email from BA was triggered by the Met Office yellow warning of thunderstorms in the Heathrow area in effect from noon today until 23.59 tomorrow. Hopefully you will be OK, but your domestic flight were delayed to the extent of missing your flight, I wouldn’t be standing in the queue to get rebooked as you will be there forever. Call BA (an overseas office if necessary) and they will get you sorted out much more promptly.

[polb]

Flight from Man was only 25 minutes late in the end and the A380 to jnb was for once on time. Now to relax and enjoy my holiday. Thanks all for the info.

[NorthernLass]

Excellent news! Have a wonderful trip and you’ll know next time 😀